2005 Buick LaCrosse Brake Problems?

[deak]

We have a 2005 Buick LaCrosse that has intermittent brake problems. On two different occasions while my wife was driving the car, it shook and was difficult to accelerate. The first time she had driven it about 40 miles from home before this happened and had to have it towed. The mechanic kept it for a week driving it around and could find nothing wrong. He did check the brakes. The second time it happened several months later she got about two miles from the house and it did it again. I got to the car and felt all the wheels which felt abnormally warm. The front right wheel was too hot to keep my hand on it. After several days we were able to drive it to another mechanic who checked the brakes and could find nothing wrong. Anybody got any ideas what could be causing this? We don't trust the car to take it on any trips.

 

[chesruth]

My 2007 Allure (canadian LaCrosse) does a similar thing, but I actually lose my brakes.

 

[AllureCXS]

Sticking caliper - I had to change my Passenger side front caliper on my CXS due to it being stuck on, generating heat and a pull on the right side. This happens sometimes with normal brake wear - how old is your car? Long periods of not being driven will also contribute to this kind of problem.

 

[colinbe]

We have a 2005 Buick LaCrosse that has intermittent brake problems. On two different occasions while my wife was driving the car, it shook and was difficult to accelerate. The first time she had driven it about 40 miles from home before this happened and had to have it towed. The mechanic kept it for a week driving it around and could find nothing wrong. He did check the brakes. The second time it happened several months later she got about two miles from the house and it did it again. I got to the car and felt all the wheels which felt abnormally warm. The front right wheel was too hot to keep my hand on it. After several days we were able to drive it to another mechanic who checked the brakes and could find nothing wrong. Anybody got any ideas what could be causing this? We don't trust the car to take it on any trips.

Have someone take a look at the control arm bushings. I hope this helps.

 

[92sub]

From your description we can't even say it was the brakes. A loss of power so bad that you had to have it towed? Normally a caliper stuck that bad won't 'unstick' itself sitting on a tow truck. Are we sure it's not an engine power problem? Maybe misfire or a fuel starvation issue? My wheels regularly get so hot you can't touch them.....that's normal so don't go by that.

If you are really convinced it's the brakes, just get both your front calipers AND front rubber brake hoses replaced.....you've then just ELIMINATED any chance that the brake system is causing your problem.

 

[G-793315]

We have a 2005 Buick LaCrosse that has intermittent brake problems. On two different occasions while my wife was driving the car, it shook and was difficult to accelerate. The first time she had driven it about 40 miles from home before this happened and had to have it towed. The mechanic kept it for a week driving it around and could find nothing wrong. He did check the brakes. The second time it happened several months later she got about two miles from the house and it did it again. I got to the car and felt all the wheels which felt abnormally warm. The front right wheel was too hot to keep my hand on it. After several days we were able to drive it to another mechanic who checked the brakes and could find nothing wrong. Anybody got any ideas what could be causing this? We don't trust the car to take it on any trips.

I had the same problem with my car and it scared me to death. I have a 2005 Buick LaCrosse and I had 2 mechanics look at it and every time they found nothing wrong. I'm puzzled with this freaky problem.

 

[Rich B.]

Yes the binding caliper I’d say is problem also. The maybe it’s phenolic ram is not easing off as discs Ideally run with a feather lite drag. I had that trouble and replaced ram, cleaned bore and new seal- problem fixed. Not on Buick but L’il Red Express Truck. Yes do stuff like that myself.

Oh too, can be intermittent problem. Won’t happen every time but you’ll notice when occurs which wheel freezes as will overheat, you can smell it. Car will shake-vibrate and steers hard with front discs.